Invasion!

April ends with an invasion of little green multi-legged creatures - caterpillars! Remember the childhood joy you felt whenever you saw a caterpillar? It took a while for it to return to me. If you know me well, I am extrememly squeamish around any kind of creepy crawly; teaching primary school children was a challenge at times! Initially I was grossed out as there were so many - thousands! This led to my being repulsed to where I found myself collecting the caterpillars (carefully so I didn't have to touch them) and moving them across the street. The minute I would walk back outside, there would be 20 more! I finally gave up and just began to watch the little critters. They are quite remarkable as they climb up the building spinning their threads of silk. As long as they don't eat my plants, come in the house, or crawl on me, we will be okay :)

Close Up

Just a few of the thousands!

Sam

A lot of you have been asking about Sam. He has adjusted well to Japan - still sleeping most of the day away. We have to keep Sam under an in-house quarantine through July which requires me to drive him to Camp Zama's vet clinic once a month so they can see how healthy he is. Sam has acquired quite a fan club with the neighborhood kids - they ask me about Sam without even bothering to ask how I am, though their mothers are quick to correct! We cannot walk by the CDC (Childhood Development Center) or the park without creating an outright riot. Sam is popular with the toddlers too - it's hilarious when they figure out he's within sight. The toddlers form a noisy little crowd (mind you that only a few can talk in complete sentences) and are separated merely by a chainlink fence - I think Sam is quite grateful for the barrier!Here's Sam working on his favorite toy - his Nylabone. That thing has lasted since January... no wonder, it's made in the USA!

Flower Power

The Japanese will put flowers on just about anything!

Check out how to market the New Beetle.

Groovy!

Ugly Duckling

While at the Imperial Gardens, I spied this swan fast asleep. By the time I left, he was awake and a-swimming!

Japanese Flowers

Last Saturday, I visited the Imperial Gardens in Ginzu, near Tokyo. It was a chilly, rainy day but the flowers have a way of making it a cheerful place. I also ran into Rudy Giuliani as he was touring the gardens. He was very gracious when I just spouted off about how nice it was to see a familiar face (I see him on CNN all the time). I have no idea where that came from because I ususally won't talk to strangers, let alone famous ones. He did have a smile on his face so maybe that's what got me going; I like happy people! He was very friendly, asked where I was from, and then said to tell Maxwell "hello" for him. Again, like we are old aquaintences!

Back to the flowers - absolutely beautiful! Check them out!

Nancy in the Azaleas

I think these may be peonies - my absolute favorite! I was supposed to have the red version on the left in my wedding bouquet but they arrived as peach colored so they ended up in a vase. I couldn't get any closer - too many Japanese photographers were crowding the front. And they had serious zoom lenses!
Not sure what these are but a cool shot from below! They are blooming on base too right now and look like big puffs of cotton candy.

I think these are Irises.

Azaleas up close - don't they look tropical?

Dinner Out in Tokyo

My dear friend Amanda Olsen was in town visiting her cousins so we met up for dinner in Omate Sando. Amanda and I originally met through Jr. League and would meet up for monthly dinners and drinks out after our Tuesday night JLSD General Meetings - hence the name for our group of gal pals... Tuesday Night Club! Amanda and I were just tickled to be able to say we met for dinner in Tokyo! Now, to see if the rest can make it out here before January 2010! Our doors are always open!

Gone But Not Forgotten

The People of South Korea erected the structure on the hill to commemorate the sacrifice of Americans to secure their freedom during the Korean war. I'm glad I did not the ring the bell.

Maxwell's Parking Spot

I regularly move around people called "codes." In layman's terms - VIPs or Dignitaries. The new helo I now fly is a bit nicer than the old gray birds I used to fly. We get to fly them to exciting places like Chin Hae in the Republic of South Korea. The air craft carrier pictured in the background is the Nimitz, stationed out of San Diego, which was making a port call at the same time we were in Korea. If that cup your drinking out of right now wasn't made in China, it was probably made here.

A Hum Ringer

You would not believe the amount of personal restraint it took not to ring this thing. There was no one around at all!

Close Up

Step 1 to Taking Over the World!

I have not written lately because I have been busy starting my own beer brand. With limited distribution in Korea, pick up a six pack next time your in Pusan.

Cherry Blossom Festival

On Sunday, April 6, Atsugi Base held its annual Cherry Blossom Festival, or Sakura Festival. This is the one day a year that the base is opened to the Japanese public. Good food like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and funnel cakes (mmm mmm!) and live music plus about 50,000 visitors. Pizza is by far the top choice for the Japanese -they stood in lines over a hundred yards long for over an hour waiting to buy pizzas.

We started the day with the OSC taking photos in our husbands' flight suits (to be posted soon). Then we manned tables where we helped to sell t-shirts, ball caps, phone charms, and temporary tatoos emblazoned with the squadron's mascot, the Musashi, or Warlord. In the photo below, I am not injured but applying one of the tattoos to my cheek. I was also waving at someone; not doing some funny hand gesture a la Japanese photo-taking style (they ususally hold up 2 fingers in a V sign)! The pilots are like rock stars at the festival - signing autographs and posing for photo opps. I have to admit that I, too, was asked to be in several photos by Japanese visitors - too funny!

Chrissy, me, and Kimberly

Some Pig!

Maxwell brought me a little gift that he picked up while visiting a market in Korea. It does a trick too!

Side View

Front View

But have you ever seen a pig that can do this?!! Maxwell offered to send it to a friend of his, and I just about had the biggest hissy fit. I love this pig!

My new pig lighter!